GB2490144A

GB2490144A - Inflatable bladder device for plugging a hole in a membrane

Info

Publication number: GB2490144A
Application number: GB1106633.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Nathan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-04-19
Filing date: 2011-04-19
Publication date: 2012-10-24
Also published as: US20140124041A1; GB201106633D0; WO2012143478A1; CN202911164U; EP2699411A1

Abstract

A device 100 is provided for plugging a hole (200, Fig 2) in a membrane 202. The device comprises a body 104, including a chamber 112 for storing compressed gas, an inflatable bladder 106 connected to the body and a conduit 116, via which compressed gas can flow from the chamber into the inflatable bladder. The device also comprises a control means 108 and 114 for controlling the flow of compressed gas from the chamber into the bladder. The bladder is arranged to be inserted at least partially through the hole in the membrane in a non-inflated state and at least partially inflated after it has been inserted therein.

Description

I

Device The invention relates to a device and method for plugging a hole in a membrane, in particular a membrane separating two fluids.

Background

Membranes are used in many different practical situations for separating two fluids, including two gasses, two liquids or a liquid and a gas, from one another. For example inflatable bodies such as dinghies and life rafts are filled with air or other gas under pressure such that the material from which the inflatable device is formed acts as a membrane between that gas under pressure and air at normal barometric pressure and/or water when the device is in use. Another example is water tanks, particularly emergency temporary water tanks.

For any membrane separating two fluids it is important to put safety mechanisms in place so that if the membrane tears or ruptures it can be mended as quickly and easily as possible to prevent mixing of the two fluids. This becomes particularly important when the membrane in question is part of an inflatable boat or life raft, for which a hole in the membrane during use could lead to very serious and dangerous consequences.

Many known devices exist for mending holes in the membrane of an inflatable boat or life raft during use. However such devices have several drawbacks. Many require the user to use two hands in order to operate the device successfully. In practice the user may not be able to use both hands for fixing the hole in their boat during an emergency situation, for example they may have to use one hand to hold on to the boat in a pitching sea. Another drawback with known devices is that they are often difficult to use if the hole in the membrane is below water, again as may be the case during an emergency situation. The existing devices are at best temporary fixes that suffice until a permanent patching solution can be applied when the membrane is not in use.

An invention is set out in the claims.

According to an aspect there is provided a device for plugging a hole in a membrane. The device comprises a body including chamber for storing compressed gas, an inflatable bladder connected to said body, a conduit via which compressed gas can flow from the chamber into the inflatable bladder; and control means for controlling the flow of compressed gas from the chamber into the bladder. The bladder of the device is arranged to be inserted at least partially through the hole in the membrane in a non-inflated state and at least partially inflated after said insertion.

According to another aspect there is provided a method of plugging a hole in a membrane using a device, said device comprising a body including chamber for storing compressed gas, an inflatable bladder connected to said body, a conduit via which compressed gas can flow from the chamber into the inflatable bladder, and control means for controlling the flow of compressed gas from the chamber into the bladder. The method comprises inserting part of the device, including at least part of the inflatable bladder, into the hole wherein the bladder is in a non-inflated state during said insertion, and actuating the control means in order to release compressed gas from the chamber into the bladder, so that at least part of the bladder becomes inflated.

According to an aspect there is provided a method of manufacturing a device substantially as described herein.

According to an aspect there is provided a method of operating a device substantially as described herein.

According to an aspect there is provided a device for plugging a hole in a membrane. The device includes a handle at a first end and a guide at a second, distal end, with a housing for storing compressed gas or other fluid provided intermediate the handle and the guide.

When stored, the guide can include an inflatable member wrapped therearound. The handle can include a hole or recess which is appropriately located, sized and shaped so that the guide at the distal end of one device, possibly including the inflatable member wrapped theraround, can be inserted into the recess in the handle of a second, substantially identical device. A storage means is provided for storing such devices. The storage means can store multiple such devices, and in particular can stack them together compactly, with the guide at the distal end of a first device located in the recess in the handle of a second device.

Figures Examples and embodiments will now be described with reference to the appended figures of which: Figure 1 is a cross section through a patching device with the bladder in a non-inflated state; Figure 2 shows the device of Figure 1 before it is inserted into a ruptured membrane, with the safety pin removed; Figure 3 shows the device of Figure 2 after insertion into the ruptured membrane; Figure 4 is a magnified view of the circled portion in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows the device of Figure 3 with the bladder in an inflated state and the handle detached from the cap; Figure 6 shows a magnified view of the circled portion in Figure 5; Figure 7 shows the device of Figure 1 with the bladder in an inflated state; Figure 8 shows a packaging arrangement for 3 of the devices shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 shows device of Figure 1 when viewed from above; and Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the device of Figure 1 the bladder in a non-inflated state.

Overview In overview a device is provided for plugging, patching or stopping a hole, rip or tear in a membrane that separates two fluids. In particular the device can be used for a membrane that separates gas under pressure from air at normal barometric pressure, for example the material of an inflatable boat or life raft.

The device (referred to herein as "a patching device") comprises a handle for user grip during insertion of the device into the hole, a bladder which is at least partially expandable in order to cover the hole, and a cap which includes compressed gas for expanding the bladder once it is in situ. In use, the user can insert the patching device at least partially through a hole in the material or membrane of the body that is to be mended when the bladder is in its non-expanded state, so that the bladder is on the opposite side of the ruptured membrane to the cap and the handle. Once the device is in place the user can then actuate a release mechanism, preferably located on the handle of the device, in order to release compressed gas from the cap into the bladder in order to at least partially inflate the bladder.

At least part of the bladder is connected to a part of the device that remains on the opposite, outer side of the ruptured membrane so that the expandable bladder material can only move away from such outer parts of the device to a limited extent. A non-expandable portion of the bladder may also be provided in order to limit the direction in, and extent to, which it can expand. As a result, expansion of the bladder creates pressure between the bladder and the cap part of the device, pushing them towards one another around the hole or rupture in the membrane, therefore acting as patch over that hole or rupture.

The device is scalable so can be manufactured and used to patch a range of hole sizes in a range of different materials in different practical situations. As mentioned above, it can be used to patch a hole in the material of an inflatable boat or life raft. Such vessels are usually made of plastic and/or rubber however the device could also be used to patch holes in more rigid membranes such as yacht hulls. Additionally or alternatively, the device could be used to patch holes in containers including hoses, water tanks including temporary emergency tanks, and containers which hold medical substances or corrosive or dangerous material which must be plugged quickly and effectively should a hole be 2049078v1 found therein The device can be managed by the user with only one hand, firstly to insert the device into the hole and then to actuate a trigger to release compressed gas into the bladder. The device can work even when the hole in the membrane to be patched is already under water. It can include duplicate trigger mechanisms for health and safety purposes and can be manufactured to fully comply with safety regulations such as the Iso 9650 standard for life rafts. Thus a convenient, easy to use and safe device for patching membranes is provided.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a patching device 100. It includes a handle 102, a cap 104 and a bladder 106. In figure 1 the bladder is shown in its pre-deployed, i.e. non-expanded, state.

The handle 102 is shown as including two components -a trigger 108 (discussed further below) and a substantially T-shaped handle portion 103. Although any suitable shape may be used, a T-shape is convenient because the user can grip it easily, for example using the middle finger and forefinger to grip the stem of the T-shape and the thumb on the base of the handle 102 to help with driving the device 100 into the hole or rupture that is to be patched. The T-shaped handle portion 103 is preferably hollow and is aligned with a central hole running through the cap 104 of the device, as described in detail below. Preferably, at least one hole or vent is provided at the top of the T-shaped handle portion 103, and/or at the sides of the T-shape so that fluid can escape therethrough during use of the device 100, as discussed in more detail below.

The handle 102 comprises a trigger 108. In the device shown in figure 1 the trigger 108 is also substantially T-shaped in cross-section. It surrounds a lower portion of the T-shaped handle portion 103 and is aligned along the same central axis so that, in use, the trigger 108 can be pulled upwards, sliding along the stem of the T-shaped handle 103.

As described further below, the trigger 108 is used to activate expansion of the bladder 106. It should be used only when the device is in situ for patching a membrane. The trigger 108 therefore includes a safety mechanism such as the safety pin 110 shown in figure 1. The safety pin 110 is provided inserted through the handle 102, running through the stems of both the T-shaped portion 103 and the trigger 108, to prevent relative movement of the trigger 108 and the T-shaped portion 103 until the safety pin 110 has been removed.

The handle 102 may be formed of plastic or any other suitable material. It fits above the cap 104 as shown in figure 1. The handle 102 is removably attached to the cap 104 so that the handle 102 can be discarded once the device 100 has been inserted into a hole and the bladder 106 inflated to patch the hole. As will be described in more detail below, the cap 104 should be left in situ when the handle 102 is removed in order to maintain the patching effect of the device 100 on the hole.

For example the handle 102 can clip onto the cap 104 using a simple plastic clip Alternatively the handle 102 and cap 104 may attach to one another using any suitable snap fit, screw fit or push fit mechanism. The means of attachment between the handle 102 and cap 104 should ensure that they do not detach from one another until after the device 100 has been activated for patching a hole.

The trigger 108 is arranged to activate one or more valves in the cap 104 in order to release compressed gas from the cap 104 into the bladder 106 as described in more detail below. It preferably also activates a valve which allows though flow of fluid from one side of the membrane to another during insertion of the device 100.

The cap 104 is formed of plastic or any other suitable material. It includes a hollow chamber 112 within. In the device 100 shown in figure 1 the cap 104 is substantially conical in shape, with the narrow most portion of the cap 104 being at the top where it meets the handle 102 and the broadest part of cap 104 being at its lower surface, close to the bladder 106, which will press against the membrane that is to be mended by the device 100 as discussed in more detail below. However it will be appreciated that any suitable shape of cap 104 may be used.

The chamber 112 within the cap 104 will be filled, preferably during manufacture, with a compressed gas such as compressed air. The compressed gas may be confined within a rubber tube, similar to a bicycle tube, within the chamber 112. For example the cap 104 can be manufactured inside a pressure chamber to help prevent leakage of gas from the chamber 112 after manufacture, before the device is used to patch a hole. Alternatively or additionally, a tube or other mechanism may be provided for topping up the compressed gas in the cap 104 after manufacture.

The compressed gas is retained within the chamber 112 by a retention valve 114. The retention valve 114 leads to a gas distribution chamber 116 located just below the cap 104. The gas distribution chamber 116 acts as a conduit, via which the compressed gas can travel from the cap 104 into the bladder 106 during use of the device. In the device shown in figure 1 the gas distribution chamber 116 is comprised within a small cylinder located just below the cap 104. Preferably that cylinder is manufactured integral with the cap 104 but it could instead be attached thereto by any suitable mechanism, bearing in mind that the connection between the cap 104 and the gas distribution chamber 116 must withstand the force of compressed gas escaping from the gas chamber 112 within the cap 104, through the gas distribution chamber 116 and into the bladder 106.

Therefore it should be a strong and reliable connection.

There is a central hole running through the cap 104 which includes a through flow valve 118 (not visible in figure 1). Before use, when the safety pin 110 is still in place in the handle 102, the through flow valve 118 is open. As can be seen from figure 1 and again in more detail in figure 4 herein, the hole through the cap 104 (and therefore the through flow valve 118) is physically isolated from the gas chamber 112 within the cap 104, so that compressed gas from the gas chamber 112 does not escape through the open through flow valve 118 before use of the device.

Grippers 120 can be provided on the underside of the cap 104, which is the surface that will come into contact with the membrane surrounding the hole or rupture that is to be patched by the device 100 during use. The grippers 120 help to keep the device in place once it has been inserted through the hole, helping to prevent lateral slip and improving the reliability of the patching provided. The grippers 120 may include any suitable number of protrusions or projections and may be of the same material as the body of the cap or maybe of a different material, for example a material having a higher coefficient of friction. In the device shown in figure 1, the grippers 120 comprises a series of concentric circles made up of saw tooth gripping formations.

The bladder 106 is located below the cap 104. Also provided below the cap 104 is a guide tube 122 which is preferably a disposable guide tube. The guide tube 122 is aligned with the central axis through the cap 104 and the handle and extends substantially downwardly from the gas distribution chamber 116 at the base of the cap 104. The guide tube 122 is removably connected to the cap 104 in such a manner that the two will remain connected during insertion of the device 100 into a hole or rupftire in a membrane which is to be patched but the guide tube will disconnect from the cap during or shortly after inflation of the bladder 106.

The bladder 106 is a sac or pouch which is at least partially inflatable. When in a non-inflated state, it can be provided in a substantially flat configuration. The bladder 106 is shown wrapped around the disposable guide tube 122 in figures 1 to 3 herein. It can be seen in its expanded state in figures 5 to 7 herein.

The bladder 106 is preferably an inflatable toroid or annulus (doughnut shaped), although other shapes are also possible. The bladder 106 should define a substantially central aperture which allows passage of fluid from the body into which the device 100 is to be inserted through to the substantially central holes in the cap 104 and handle 102, along the central axis of the device 100 (shown in figure 1 and described above).

An upper portion of the bladder 106, closest to the cap 104, is comprised of an expandable material. Preferably it is comprised of a very expandable material such as synthetic rubber. A lower portion of the bladder 106, distal to the cap 104, is comprised of a substantially non-expandable material for example a rubber impregnated canvas. As a result, when compressed gas is released from the cap 104 into the bladder 106, that compressed gas can only serve to expand the upper portion of the bladder 106, nearest the cap 104. This is discussed frirther below.

The bladder 106 is securely connected to the cap 104. It should be connected to the cap 104 in the vicinity of its substantially central aperture, which is aligned with the central axis running through the handle 102, cap 104 and gas distribution chamber 116 of the device 100. For example, the bladder material surrounding that central aperture can be bonded to the cylinder below the cap 104, in which the gas distribution chamber 116 is comprised. The connection between the bladder 106 and the cap 104 should be resilient and strong enough to withstand the force of the compressed gas flowing out of the gas chamber 112 within the cap 104 into the bladder 106 in order to expand the upper portion of the bladder 106.

As mentioned above, before use the bladder 106 is stored compactly, preferably being wrapped as tightly as possible around the disposable guide tube 122. The bladder 106 can be held in place around the guide tube 122 with rubber bands which will break when the bladder 106 expands or by any other means that will allow rapid expansion of the upper portion of the bladder 106 during use. The area of bladder material that will form its upper surface in its expanded state, and will therefore come into contact with the membrane around the hole that is being plugged, and possibly also with part of the lower surface of the cap 104, can include an adhesive that would be released on expansion of the bladder 106. For example the upper portion of the bladder 106 can be covered with alternate strips of two components of a rapidly curing adhesive, each strip contained in a thin sheaf for example made of plastic. When the upper portion of the bladder 106 expands, the thin sheaths would rupture, releasing the two components which would mix and stick the device 100 to the membrane surrounding the hole, thereby improving the patch provided.

Using the Device Use of the device 100 can be further understood with respect to figures 2 to 6 herein.

Such use will be described herein with respect to a hole 200 in the membrane 202 of an inflatable body having compressed air therein. Therefore air is shown escaping from the hole 200 in the figures. However the same principles of use can be applied regardless of what type of membrane is being plugged and regardless of the type of fluid, be it gas or liquid, which is present on either side of the membrane.

Once a hole 200 or perforation in a membrane 202 has been discovered, the user will want to repair the membrane 202 by plugging or patching the hole 200 as quickly as possible. To do so he or she should grasp the device 100 by the T-shaped portion 103 of the handle 102. The safety pin 110 can be extracted at this point or after the device 100 has been inserted into the hole 200. As shown in figure 2, the bladder 106 remains in the undeployed i.e. non-expanded state, wrapped around the guide tube 122, during insertion of the patching device 100 into the hole 200.

As can be seen from figure 3, the device 100 should be inserted into the hole 200 as far as possible, so that the guide tube 122 and bladder 106 are located on the distal side of the ruptured membrane 202, inside the inflatable body which has been ruptured, and the cap 104 and handle 102 parts of the device 100 remain on the proximal side of the membrane, outside of the vessel. Insertion of the device 100 into the hole will displace some compressed air from within the inflatable body. The hollow core of the guide tube 122 and through flow valve 118 within the cap 104 allow the displaced air to flow through the device 100, flowing out through one or more holes or vents at the top of the handle 102 to allow the escaping air to pass through the device 100. As a result, the user will encounter little resistance in placing the device 100 as far into the hole 200 as possible.

Once the device 100 has been inserted as shown in figure 3, it must be activated to prevent further escape of fluid from the body under repair. In order to do this, the user activates the trigger 108. As a result, both the through flow valve 118 and the retention valve 114 within the cap 104 are actuated. In the device 100 shown in the figures herein, activation of the trigger 108 comprises pulling the trigger 108 upwards along the stem of the T-shaped portion 103 of the handle 102. Optionally, activation of the trigger 108 could require twisting the trigger portion. Or it could be actuated in another way such as by pushing, sliding or even breaking a portion of the trigger 108, dependent on its physical configuration and the manner in which it is connected to the rest of the handle 102 and the cap 104.

Regardless of the physical action required to activate the trigger 108, said activation serves to open the retention valve 114 within the cap 104. For example the retention valve 114 may be a pivotable flap made of metal or another durable material wherein activation of the trigger 108 pivots the flap away from an opening in the gas chamber 112, and therefore allows the compressed gas from within the gas chamber 112 to flow through into the bladder 106 and expand the upper portion of the bladder 106 quickly.

As the bladder 106 expands, it will be constrained by the inability (or limited ability) of the material making up its lower portion to stretch whereas, in contrast, the upper portion of the bladder 106 will be able to stretch relatively rapidly. As a result, the expanded bladder 106 will push upwards against the lower surface of the cap 104, trapping the perforated membrane 202 between the bladder 106 and the cap 104.

As another example, a thin wall to the gas chamber 112 may be provided within the cap 104, which would act as a diaphragm supported by the handle 102. As the handle 102 moves up during operation of the device 100, the diaphragm would no longer be supported and would flex, thus triggering the retention valve 114.

As mentioned above, optionally there may be an adhesive provided on an upper surface of the bladder 106. In an embodiment wherein two-part adhesive is provided in separate parts within thin plastic sheaths on the bladder surface, expansion of the bladder 106 will rupture the sheaths and cause adhesive to randomly spread in all directions. At least some of the two-parts of the adhesive will mix and as a result the bladder 106 will bond 2049078v1 to the underside of the membrane 202.

If the device includes grippers 120 on the underside of the cap 104, the membrane 202 will be forced against grippers 120 and will mechanically held in place by them.

As the bladder 106 expands, the guide tube 122 around which the bladder 106 was wrapped will preferably disconnect from the device 100 and fall away inside the inflatable body or vessel. Preferably the guide tube 122 is formed of cardboard or another unreactive material and has no sharp edges so that it will not cause any damage to the inside of the inflatable body.

As well as releasing the retention valve 118, activation of the trigger 108 causes closure of the through flow valve 118 within the cap 104, therefore preventing any further escape of fluid through the hole in the membrane 202. Optionally, the retention valve 114 and through flow valve 118 could be triggered separately from one another but the user is likely to prefer to use a single activation for both valves to save time and effort, particularly in an emergency situation.

The through flow valve 118 may be of any suitable type. It must be able to withstand the pressure exerted on it by compressed air within a life raft or other inflatable member and to remain closed to prevent escape of that compressed gas. For example the through flow valve 118 could be similar to a valve used in standard car tyres with a central pin which is suppressed in its standby mode, before expansion of the bladder 106, wherein that pin is released to seal the through flow valve 118 when the trigger 108 of the present device is activated. Once the through flow valve 118 has been shut, no more air or other fluid should escape through the hole 200.

By way of example, the handle 102 of the device 100 can include a prong or spike protruding down the central axis of the device, wherein that prong or spike acts to hold down a spindle or other formation which keeps the through flow valve 118 in the open position. As the handle 102 disengages, the spike can releases the valve pin which shuts the through flow valve 118.

As can be seen in figure 5 herein, when the device 100 is used to patch a life raft or other inflatable body, the pressure of the compressed air within the inflatable will force the bladder 106 upwards towards the ruptured membrane 202, therefore further improving the seal provided.

Once the bladder 106 has been expanded and the hole 200 has been patched, the handle 102 can be detached from the rest of the device 100. Detachment of the handle 102 can be forced by the continued pressure on the trigger 108, exerted by the compressed gas inside the inflated bladder 106 pushing upwards. Alternatively or additionally, the handle 102 may be detached from the cap 104 by the user by releasing the attachment mechanism therebetween for example by twisting, pushing or unclipping the mechanism.

For example there may be a plurality of clips securing the handle 102 to the remainder of the device 100. In use, if the trigger 108 is pulled upwards along the stem of the T-shaped portion 103 of the handle 102, the clips will disengage, thereby releasing the handle 102.

The handle 102 can be discarded.

As shown in figure 8 herein, the device 100 can be packaged and sold in sets of three.

Preferably there is a hole in the top of the handle 102, extending along the central axis of the device 100. The hole should preferably be sized to accommodate the width of the bladder 106 wrapped around the guide tube 122 at the bottom end of an identical device 100. As a result, the wrapped bladder 106 and guide tube 122 at the end of one device can be inserted into the hole at the top of the handle 102 of a subsequent device 100 in order to package them compactly. This method of packaging also protects the bladder 106 and guide tube 122 and prevents damage thereto during storage and shipping of the device 100. Although the device 100 is highly reliable, it should preferably be sold in sets of at least two so that the user has a fallbaek if the device 100 malfunctions in an emergency situation.

Whist the device has been referred to as a patching device herein, it can be ascribed a different name without departing from the inventive principles described herein. For example it may be called a "plug" or a "jimmel".

Whilst the device and its operation have been described with respect to the particular arrangements shown in the figures, some variations in the physical shape and size of the device components -and in the manner in which they connect and/or interact with one another -can be made without departing from the inventive concepts described herein.

The device is highly useful in practical situations. Before the device is required for use, the gas chamber within the cap can already have the compressed gas or other fluid stored therein that would be used to expand bladder and therefore seal a hole into which the device is inserted when it becomes needed. The device can therefore operate in isolation, without requiring any additional components in order to work. It does not require complicated or lengthy user instructions to be provided -the method of use can be described quickly and clearly, and is straight forward to understand. Therefore the device does not require a skilled user in order to be used correctly.

The through flow valve allows a limited amounted of compressed gas or other fluid from within the vessel or other body that is being patched to escape, therefore creating space and allowing ease and speed of insertion of the patching device into the hole. But that through flow valve can close quickly and easily, upon activation of a simple mechanical trigger, in order to prevent any further escape of the contained fluid. On the other hand, the retention valve acts to ensure that the compressed gas does not escape from the gas chamber before the device is activated but can be easily and quickly triggered to open and release the compressed gas into the bladder which expands to trap the ruptured membrane between the bladder and the cap.

Preferably the trigger mechanism will include a duplicated system, one on either side of the central axis shown in figure 1 herein. Therefore there would be a mechanical linkage from the trigger to the through flow valve and the retention valve on each side of the handle. This provides redundancy so that if one linkage fails the other should still work, to ensure that activation of the trigger actuates the two valves as described in detail above. This back up is particularly important if the patching device is to be used on inflatable such as life rafts or emergency storage tanks for which risk of malfunction must be reduced as much as possible.

The device is a consumable component and may have a limited shelf life which could be indicated on the packaging when the device is sold. As discussed above, the bladder may be at least partially composed of rubber. The rubber material may deteriorate over time such that it would need to be disposed of and replaced if not used within a time limit. It may be possible to remove the bladder and replace it without replacing the remainder of the device or the entire device may have a shelf life after which it must be replaced in its entirety.

As mentioned above, means can be provided for topping up the compressed gas within the gas chamber of the cap. For example an external valve may be provided on the surface of the cap to allow this topping up. Alternatively or additionally, the device may include a pressure indicator such as a greenlred indicator to provide a visual sign as to the pressure level of the gas within the cap.

Operation of the device requires only one user and can be managed one-handed by that user. This makes, it very convenient and safe to use particularly in emergency situations.

As mentioned above, the device can be manufactured to fully comply with ISO 9650 standard for life rafts and with other safety standards.

The device may be manufactured to any desired scale. According to an embodiment, the device is presented as a 100 mm diameter circular plug. The principles described herein can be expanded or reduced to provide larger or smaller plugs, and different shapes of plug can also be provided.

Because the bladder attaches to the cap of the device only in the vicinity of the substantially central aperture defined by the bladder, the surfaces of the bladder and the cap can be spaced apart from one another, either side of the ruptured membrane, once the bladder has been inflated. The upward pressure of the compressed gas in the inflated bladder should be sufficient to press up against the cap and form a seal over the hole or rupture in the membrane, regardless of the thickness of the surrounding membrane and the separation that it may cause between the bladder and the cap. Therefore the device can be used to plug holes in membranes of a range of different thickness. If the device is to be used with a relatively thick membrane, additional sealing means may be provided around the substantially central aperture between the bladder and the cap to ensure that no fluid can escape therethrough during use.

The safety pin and trigger mechanism as described herein could be replaced by any suitable alternative. Additional features may also be incorporated into the device to prevent accidental activation. For example the cap could be hinged when the device is stored before use with a requirement that the cap must be flattened about its hinge before the user can pull the trigger to activate the bladder.

Therefore a highly and practical device for plugging or patching a ruptured membrane is provided. The device is simple, fast and easy for a user to manage, even in emergency situations, and enables them to stop a hole or rupture in a membrane separating two fluids safely and reliably. The device provides a substantially permanent solution rather than a temporary fix. It can therefore be used for patching holes in bodies such as inflatable vessels and water tanks which are needed for continuous and/or repeated use, without having to be replaced at least in the medium term. Therefore the vessel or tank does not have to be taken out of use in order for the ruptured membrane to be repaired. This type of efficient, reliable and substantially permanent solution is not provided by any known devices.

Claims

Claims I. A device for plugging a hole in a membrane, the device comprising: a body including a chamber for storing compressed gas; an inflatable bladder connected to said body; a conduit via which compressed gas can flow from the chamber into the inflatable bladder; and control means for controlling the flow of compressed gas from the chamber into the bladder; wherein the bladder is arranged to be inserted at least partially through the hole in the membrane in a non-inflated state and at least partially inflated after said insertion.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a handle.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising compressed gas within the chamber.
4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the control means for controlling the flow of compressed gas from the chamber into the bladder includes a retention valve.
5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said retention valve is closed when the bladder is in a non-inflated state, to prevent flow of compressed gas along the conduit.
6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the control means for controlling the flow of compressed gas from the chamber into the bladder includes a user-actuatable trigger.
7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim further including a guide tube for guiding insertion of the device into the hole.
8. A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein at least a part of the bladder is wrapped around the guide tube during insertion of the device into the hole.
9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bladder defines a substantially central aperture, wherein said substantially central aperture enables fluid flow from a distal side of the membrane into the body of the device.
10. A device as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a throughflow valve, wherein said valve is actuatable to prevent fluid flow from a distal side of the membrane into the body of the device.
11. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the control means is arranged to control actuation of said throughflow valve.
12. A device as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein said throughflow valve is open when the bladder is in a non-inflated state.
13. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bladder comprises a substantially non-inflatable portion.
14. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said substantially non-inflatable portion of the bladder is provided at a lower end of the bladder, distal to the body of the device.
15. A device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a safety mechanism to prevent accidental use of the control means for controlling the flow of compressed gas from the chamber into the bladder.
16. A device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising an adhesive on an upper surface of the bladder, proximal to the body of the device when the bladder is in an inflated state.
17. A device as claimed in claim 16 ftirther comprising one or more grippers provided on a lower surface of the body of the device.
18. A device as claimed in any of claims 9 to 16 wherein the device includes an aperture for enabling fluid flow from a distal side of the membrane to flow out of the device.
19. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the membrane is comprised in aninflatable body.
20. A device as claimed in claim 19 wherein the inflatable body is any of: a life raft, a dinghy, or an inflatable boat.
21. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 18 wherein the membrane is comprised in a container.
22. A device as claimed in claim 21 wherein the container is any of: a water tank, an emergency storage tank, a container for storing corrosive material, or a container for storing medical substances.
23. A kit comprising a plurality of devices as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22.
24. A method of manufacturing a device or a kit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22.
25. A method of plugging a hole in a membrane using a device, said device comprising a body including a chamber for storing compressed gas, an inflatable bladder connected to said body, a conduit via which compressed gas can flow from the chamber into the inflatable bladder, and control means for controlling the flow of compressed gas from the chamber into the bladder; the method comprising: inserting part of the device, including at least part of the inflatable bladder, into the hole, wherein the bladder is in a non-inflated state during said insertion; and 2049078v1 actuating the control means in order to release compressed gas from the chamber into the bladder, so that at least part of the bladder becomes inflated.
26. A method as claimed in claim 25 further comprising the step of, during insertion of the device into the hole, allowing flow of fluid from a distal side of the membrane into part of the body of the device and out.
27. A method as claimed in claim 25 or claim 26 further comprising, after insertion of the device into the hole, actuating the control means to prevent further flow of fluid from a distal side of the membrane into part of the body of the device.
28. A device, kit or method substantially as described herein with respect to the appended figures.